Climate control problem

[DJWilson2]

I set my Climate control to Auto with the desired temp at a nice toasty 72 degrees, I get in the car and as I drive the A/C comes on with the temp reading at 42 degrees, to get the heat to turn on I have to manually crank the thermostat to 78 degrees.

Anyone know why the car cannot seem to remain at about 72 degrees?

Note: The inside of the car was cold and the windows were fogging up due to the a/c (and probably my breath) which delayed my departure until about 30 seconds until after I ramped up the heat.

Edit: I know the A/C was on due to examining the Climate display which showed the snowflake being ON.

[jamesjcm]

Have had my volt for 2 months and still can't figure out the climate control system.

[SharkVolt]

I wouldn't consider 72 degrees "toasty". 72 degrees is basically a "neutral" temperature, meaning the car would probably not turn on either heating or cooling when set at that temperature. At least, that is what mine appears to do.

You didn't specify whether you had "preheated" the car off grid power, or just got in and started driving. Either way, I find the temperature needs to be set in the mid or high 80s for 5-10 minutes to get decent heat into the car. Then it can be dropped down some and will maintain that temperature.

The 2012 Volts and the 2011 ones with the software upgrade are supposed to have some improvement in the heater operation over the original 2011 MY settings. I am just now scheduling to get my 2011 upgraded, so I don't know how much difference there will be.

Apparently, the higher you set the temperature, the quicker you will get the heat level up to an acceptable level.

[LeelaLB]

the windows were fogging up due to the a/c (and probably my breath)

It sounds like the AC turned on because you were fogging up and you probably have it set to auto defog. You can disable the auto defog function if you like. However, if you do this the AC won't turn on, but I bet you a dollar that you will fog up and end up turning on the defroster, which will activate the AC functionality. In my experience, it doesn't really get cold with the defog is on, but then again I also use my heated seats which keep me toasty regardless of the climate control state (at least when it's in the low 40's to high 30's).

[Killerfred]

The heat does not prevent fogging of the windows, the A/C does by removing the moisture from the air. The A/C is not on because the car thinks its too hot, but because it is trying to defrost the passenger compartment.

[DJWilson2]

Ok, this makes sense. Thank you for your replies...

The more I driver her the more complicated she becomes...

I love it!

[PatsVolt]

Simplest approach is to set the temp 74-75 on auto in comfort mode, then when car feels close to comfortable switch to eco mode still in auto. Don't change the temp. In the summer depending on temp I switch to fan only. Always preheat in the AM if you can. Really cold days below 26 degress F may cause the ICE to start up for a while. Which I find is a good thing as it takes some of the load off the electic heat and in the long run adds some efficiancy by romoving that extra electrical load on the heading system.

[Empire]

According to the owner's manual the A/C may come on at the same time that there is demand for heating if it is necessary to dehumidify the air inside the cabin. This once had me stumped as well until I looked it up.

[RScott]

You didn't specify whether you had "preheated" the car off grid power, or just got in and started driving. Either way, I find the temperature needs to be set in the mid or high 80s for 5-10 minutes to get decent heat into the car. Then it can be dropped down some and will maintain that temperature.

I just figured this one out, too. I, too, like the idea of a 72 degree (F!) car, but found I was putting it up to 78... and not getting a warm car. I was getting ready to post here or call a dealer to see if perhaps there was a problem (the car certainly uses lots of battery set to 78).

Then I brought a thermometer into the car -- it seems that the heat setting determines the heat that blows on you, not the desired temperature. Having 72 degree air blowing on you in a car that is, say, 40-50 degrees will feel like cold air.

So yours seems to be the answer that works for me -- set the heat up to the 80s, where it will feel warm and more quickly heat up the car, then lower the temperature manually when the temperature is comfortable.

[Deanzsyclone]

lol, 72 is hardly toasty, I've learned to set temp the night before to 79 and viola! Heat actually cranking out of the vents full blast almost and heating the interior. But if on 110volts charging only, it will start to depleet your battery. 240volts no problem. Plus now the auto heated seats in